I was just petting an orange tabby cat in my Falls Church, Virginia, neighborhood, a cat I never met before. He was very cute. And he was purring and butting his head against my hand. Until he wasn't.
Most rabies infections in the United States come from bats, CDC saysHe sunk his teeth into my wrist, hissed at me and ran off. So began my personal episode of Law & Order: Feline Victims Unit, complete with cat mug shots and weekly check-ins from local animal control and public health officials. And rabies shots. Multiple rabies shots in the emergency room. And more than $26,000 in health care costs, an alarming amount considering I was perfectly healthy throughout the whole ordeal.
So, I leave this experience behind with modestly increased immunity, little understanding of how medical bills are calculated and a new fear of outdoor cats — but also with a new appreciation for public health workers.As for the cat, the police told me he's under house arrest.Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
JessDoudrick
Rabies is scary. I liked touching animal hair, but my mind changed. animal zoo ranch health
Has happened here as well. Don’t mess with stray cats. Or raccoons, for that matter.
Who cares about that has anybody seen Fredo
Be grateful that Trump did not bite your wrist, due to the state of healthcare you may have lost your house.
I'm not sure how necessary this story is. Where I live in Florida, they don't seem to prosecute people who just walk out their door and shoot cats. I can't imagine this story is going to help.
🤣😂 awe gee. Cat ladies beware! lol